| Author |
Message |
Stuartzickefoose
Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008
Posts: 10350
Location: SoCal for now...
|
 Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:44 pm Post subject: A tricksy one this is... |
 |
|
so i got a 78 westy with a 2.0 hydro valves, point and condensor. 4 speed manual.
New:
alternator (duralast), regulator (black plastic), dash lights (2.3 watt)
history:
problem has been happening for at least a year, but intensified as i add lighting and radios and such (obviously), but still happens when everything is off, which is why i cant figure it out. new alt, and reg didnt fix it.
problem:
my alternator light comes on when i start the car, goes away when i rev the motor, and then show up dimly at night when any lights are on. up until yesterday this was okay, but now, as of tonight, the light is on dimly no mater what is on, or off.
what should i check? i need to get a new belt, as mines a bit oil soaked from a spill i had...  , but it still turns the engine over with a wrench, so i hadnt worried about it yet.
any thoughts? and i couldnt find anything on searching about it being on dim...
_________________
Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Wild Bill
Samba Member
Joined: January 02, 2006
Posts: 1013
Location: Pepsi-Cola, Fl
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 11:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Start with checking out put from Alt. Then from Volt Regulator to Battery.
_________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Life in the Fast Lane ?....What the Hell does that feel Like?"
"Wild" Bill Tucker
Pensacola, Fl
1978 Champagne Edition (High Top Camper Converstion.) 2.0L FI
1969 Squareback 2.0L
www.rareairvw.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stuartzickefoose
Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008
Posts: 10350
Location: SoCal for now...
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 11:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Wild Bill wrote: |
| Start with checking out put from Alt. Then from Volt Regulator to Battery. |
will do. i was planning on checking voltage tomorrow anyways with the meter...just never got to it today...
_________________
Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 51123
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 6:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
The dim light tells you there's a difference in the voltage between the alternator and the front of the bus, start with the big red/white wire to the fuse box and clean and tighten all the connections, then move on towards the ignition switch, etc...
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
udidwht
Samba Member
Joined: March 06, 2005
Posts: 3779
Location: Seattle, WA./ HB, Ca./ Shizuoka, Japan
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 6:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
Had this issue several years back. Mine was resloved with a simple swap of the correct fuse in the fuse box. Don't remember exactly which fuse it was though but I do remember it being a fuse due to the one I pulled was the in-correct operating fuse for it's slot.
Last edited by udidwht on Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:48 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SGKent 
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 10:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
| udidwht wrote: |
| Had this issue several years back. Mine was resloved with a simple swap of the correct fuse in the fuse box. Don't remember exactly which fuse it was though but I do remember it beng the fuse due to the one I pulled was the in-correct operating fuse. |
one a year spin each fuse in the holder so it makes good contact and corrosion doesn't build up.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stuartzickefoose
Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008
Posts: 10350
Location: SoCal for now...
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 10:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
| SGKent wrote: |
| udidwht wrote: |
| Had this issue several years back. Mine was resloved with a simple swap of the correct fuse in the fuse box. Don't remember exactly which fuse it was though but I do remember it beng the fuse due to the one I pulled was the in-correct operating fuse. |
one a year spin each fuse in the holder so it makes good contact and corrosion doesn't build up. |
i have done that, and ill do it again. ill also get my bentley out and figure out exactly what sizes to put where.
_________________
Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stuartzickefoose
Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008
Posts: 10350
Location: SoCal for now...
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 10:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
| busdaddy wrote: |
| The dim light tells you there's a difference in the voltage between the alternator and the front of the bus, start with the big red/white wire to the fuse box and clean and tighten all the connections, then move on towards the ignition switch, etc... |
would dual batteries do anything to my light? my second battery isnt installed, but there are quite a few wires connected to the cables....
_________________
Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wrenchman12
Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2009
Posts: 368
Location: Newmarket, NH
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 11:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hmmm Ive got the same issue going on... don't think I can remember ever changing a fuse? its been awhile anyways...Think I'll take a peak under the dash and see if anything needs to be cleaned up.. and give them a spin..
_________________
73 Riviera Camper
64 13w deluxe |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stuartzickefoose
Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008
Posts: 10350
Location: SoCal for now...
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 3:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
so when the car is running, and the light is still on (before i rev it to turn the light off), i get 12.5v, when i rev it i get 12.8 volts, no mater what (1000 rpm or 4k rpm) and i got 12.36 volts at the positive side of the coil while running.
i have a feeling that my low voltage issue is causing a minor misfire too. its running fine no matter how far i drive, but wont restart on its own whenever i shut it off....any ideas?
still gotta get a new belt.
_________________
Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
blue77bay
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2006
Posts: 631
Location: Brisvegas Australia
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 3:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
clean all your grounds ,check the eng to body strap and clean all the fuses,dirty grounds cause crazy problems
_________________
I like hammers. Lots of hammers. Hammers and me go way back.
A large hammer collection is like an instant problem solver
Mark tucker wrote:,wack off as needed |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stuartzickefoose
Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008
Posts: 10350
Location: SoCal for now...
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 3:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
spun the fuses and wiggled as many of the wires as i could get to on the back of the fuse panel, including the red and white wire, no change.
_________________
Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 51123
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 4:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Well then it's time you become one with the volt/OHM meter, test every junction for a Mv drop, somethings not playing well with others.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RatCamper
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2008
Posts: 3305
Location: Australia
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 4:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think there are two different issues at play here to be honest so keep your eyes and your mind open to possibilities.
If you had said "I start it up and the light is on until I rev it, then it stays off" there are a few answers to that on it's own. One of the most common is extra load on the alternator light wire, like for an aux battery relay. I have this problem. Plus the lower the main battery gets, the higher I have to rev it before the light turns off. pretty sure it's all to do with providing the additional power needed to excite the alternator initially. Even the wrong wattage bulb in the alternator light can play havoc.
_________________
Vehicle: 1975 Special order delivery walkthrough panel based pop-top camper (LCA / Sunliner). Motor: Nippon 1.8L Single port Wasserboxer, Transmission: 3 rib 002. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stuartzickefoose
Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008
Posts: 10350
Location: SoCal for now...
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 5:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| RatCamper wrote: |
I think there are two different issues at play here to be honest so keep your eyes and your mind open to possibilities.
If you had said "I start it up and the light is on until I rev it, then it stays off" there are a few answers to that on it's own. One of the most common is extra load on the alternator light wire, like for an aux battery relay. I have this problem. Plus the lower the main battery gets, the higher I have to rev it before the light turns off. pretty sure it's all to do with providing the additional power needed to excite the alternator initially. Even the wrong wattage bulb in the alternator light can play havoc. |
so ill swap a 1.3 watt back in and see what happens....hmm...
_________________
Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stuartzickefoose
Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008
Posts: 10350
Location: SoCal for now...
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 5:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| busdaddy wrote: |
| Well then it's time you become one with the volt/OHM meter, test every junction for a Mv drop, somethings not playing well with others. |
am i going to just go from the battery through the entire charging system? and what am i looking for?
_________________
Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RatCamper
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2008
Posts: 3305
Location: Australia
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 5:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Stuartzickefoose wrote: |
| RatCamper wrote: |
I think there are two different issues at play here to be honest so keep your eyes and your mind open to possibilities.
If you had said "I start it up and the light is on until I rev it, then it stays off" there are a few answers to that on it's own. One of the most common is extra load on the alternator light wire, like for an aux battery relay. I have this problem. Plus the lower the main battery gets, the higher I have to rev it before the light turns off. pretty sure it's all to do with providing the additional power needed to excite the alternator initially. Even the wrong wattage bulb in the alternator light can play havoc. |
so ill swap a 1.3 watt back in and see what happens....hmm... |
yes, absolutely! Didn't realise that the dash light swap included that. You'll also come across people having a pig of a time if they put an LED in place. The only way that can work right is if a resistor is put in parallel to get the circuit back to OE from an electrical point of view. Remember your charging circuit won't work if the little bulb blows so the wrong wattage can mess with it too.
_________________
Vehicle: 1975 Special order delivery walkthrough panel based pop-top camper (LCA / Sunliner). Motor: Nippon 1.8L Single port Wasserboxer, Transmission: 3 rib 002. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stuartzickefoose
Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008
Posts: 10350
Location: SoCal for now...
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 7:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| RatCamper wrote: |
| Stuartzickefoose wrote: |
| RatCamper wrote: |
I think there are two different issues at play here to be honest so keep your eyes and your mind open to possibilities.
If you had said "I start it up and the light is on until I rev it, then it stays off" there are a few answers to that on it's own. One of the most common is extra load on the alternator light wire, like for an aux battery relay. I have this problem. Plus the lower the main battery gets, the higher I have to rev it before the light turns off. pretty sure it's all to do with providing the additional power needed to excite the alternator initially. Even the wrong wattage bulb in the alternator light can play havoc. |
so ill swap a 1.3 watt back in and see what happens....hmm... |
yes, absolutely! Didn't realise that the dash light swap included that. You'll also come across people having a pig of a time if they put an LED in place. The only way that can work right is if a resistor is put in parallel to get the circuit back to OE from an electrical point of view. Remember your charging circuit won't work if the little bulb blows so the wrong wattage can mess with it too. |
didnt know that...ill find the stock bulb tomorrow and get back to ya.
_________________
Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
blue77bay
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2006
Posts: 631
Location: Brisvegas Australia
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 9:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Stuartzickefoose wrote: |
so when the car is running, and the light is still on (before i rev it to turn the light off), i get 12.5v, when i rev it i get 12.8 volts, no mater what (1000 rpm or 4k rpm) and i got 12.36 volts at the positive side of the coil while running.
i have a feeling that my low voltage issue is causing a minor misfire too. its running fine no matter how far i drive, but wont restart on its own whenever i shut it off....any ideas?
still gotta get a new belt. |
just reread this,---you have no charge,i.e ,its not charging ,you need to be looking for 13.8-14.2 V or so go with fixing up the exciter cct then ,DONT wiggle wires ,remove the bolt clean the connection and replace it ,it really does make a huge diff
_________________
I like hammers. Lots of hammers. Hammers and me go way back.
A large hammer collection is like an instant problem solver
Mark tucker wrote:,wack off as needed |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stuartzickefoose
Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008
Posts: 10350
Location: SoCal for now...
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 9:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| blue77bay wrote: |
| Stuartzickefoose wrote: |
so when the car is running, and the light is still on (before i rev it to turn the light off), i get 12.5v, when i rev it i get 12.8 volts, no mater what (1000 rpm or 4k rpm) and i got 12.36 volts at the positive side of the coil while running.
i have a feeling that my low voltage issue is causing a minor misfire too. its running fine no matter how far i drive, but wont restart on its own whenever i shut it off....any ideas?
still gotta get a new belt. |
just reread this,---you have no charge,i.e ,its not charging ,you need to be looking for 13.8-14.2 V or so go with fixing up the exciter cct then ,DONT wiggle wires ,remove the bolt clean the connection and replace it ,it really does make a huge diff |
14 volts is kinda what i figured, so ill take the alt out and get it replaced (2 year warrenty i think, maybe 5 months old)
as far as wiggling, im wiggling the spade connectors and the fuses, but ill get a little deeper into that if the alt doesnt fix it.
_________________
Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
